J. F. Campbell Collection > Collection of Gaelic proverbs and familiar phrases

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Is olc an obair latha nach toir duine gu cala mil
oidhche.
Ifs a had days ivorh that vjont hring a man to port
for the night.
Is olc an ràmli nacli iomair rudha.
It's a had oar that loon't roto round a point.
Is olc an t-ana-charaid an righ.
The king is a had un-friend.
Is olc ant-aoigli a 's misd an tigli.
He is a had guest vjhom the house is the ivorse of.
A kindly and hospitable sentiment.
Is olc an t-each nach fhiacli a cliradhadh.
He's a had horse that's not icorth shoeing.
Is olc an t-eacli nach giùlain 'fhasair.
It's a poor horse that can't carry his harness.
He's a weak baist that downa bear the saiddle. — Scot.
Al. Is don' an t-each nach giùlain a shiol — He^s a wretched horse
that can't carry his corn.
Superbo è quel cavallo che non si vuol portar la biada —
He's a proud horse that won't carry his oats. — ItaL
Is olc an teanga a 's luaithe na 'n teine.
Bad is the tongue that's swifter than fire.
Is olc do'n luing an uair a dh'eigheas an stiùireadair.
It's ill for the ship ivhen the steersman sings out.
To ' sing out ' is the duty of the man at the bow ; if he fail in
his duty, then the ship is in great danger.
Is olc cuid a' cheatharnaich ri 'thasgadh.
The reaver's goods are ill to keep.
Is olc maoin gun leasachadh.
Bad is property that gets no addition.
The moral is that of the Parable of the Talents.
Is priseil a' chas air tir.
Precious is the foot on shore.
Loda il mar, e tienti alia terra. — Ital.
Now would I give a thousand furlongs of sea for an acre of
barren ground ! — Tempest, I. 1.
Is righ an cam am measg nan dall.
The hlind of an eye is king among the hlind.
In the kingdom of blind men the one-eyed is king. — Eng.
Am pays des aveugles les borgnes sons rois. — Fr.